Just two days left to send presents and parcels 2nd class to make sure they arrive in time for Christmas

BRITS have just two days left to send presents and cards by 2nd class mail if they want them to arrive in time for Christmas.

Royal Mail has published its recommended last posting dates for the festive season.

Royal Mail is warning of delivery chaos due to more people ordering onlineCredit: GETTY

For 2nd class deliveries, Brits should aim to get them in the post by this Friday, December 18.

If you’re posting by 1st class, the last date to send off your goods is Monday, December 21.

However, as these are recommended deadlines, it’s not guaranteed that your card or present will still arrive on time.

Royal Mail is warning of delivery delays due to coronavirus restrictions and more people shopping online – so you’ll want to get posting sooner rather than later.

How to beat Royal Mail January price hike

THE cost of stamps is set to rise from January – but you can stock up now to beat the price hike.

According to the Royal Mail, stamps with no monetary value can be used at any point – regardless of price increases.

Stamps with a monetary value also don’t expire, and can be combined to to make up the total value of postage that you need.

However, you will need to make sure the value on the stamp equals enough for the cost of current postage charges.

For example, if you have stamps worth 70p then you’ll need to make up the remaining 6p for the current cost of a first class stamp.

Here’s how much the cost of stamps are going up by from January:

First class stamp (standard letter) – 76p to 85p (9p increase)
Second class stamp (standard letter) – 65p to 66p (1p increase)
First class stamp (large letter) – £1.15 to £1.29 (14p increase)
Second class stamp (large letter) – 88p to 96p (8p increase)

Some Royal Mail second-class post is understood to be taking over two weeks to deliver, including some Black Friday orders that still haven’t arrived.

Currys PC World and John Lewis shoppers have also been complaining about Royal Mail delays in delivering Christmas presents.

Royal Mail warns customers on its website: “Please post items and gifts for Christmas early, particularly for International deliveries.”

“Ongoing Covid restrictions, reduced air and freight capacity, high volumes and winter weather conditions are all impacting transportation and local delivery across the globe.”

This year, the Royal Mail is expected to delivery a record 15million parcels a day over Christmas.

What are the last days to send post within Britain?

For letters and parcels the following deadlines apply:

Friday December 18 for 2nd class and 2nd class signed for
Monday December 21 for 1st class and 1st class signed for and Royal Mail Tracked 48
Tuesday December 22 for Royal Mail Tracked 24
Wednesday December 23 for Special Delivery guaranteed

What are the last days to send post internationally?

Sadly, deadlines for sending items abroad to any country via international economy have already passed.

Friday December 4 for Australia and New Zealand
Wednesday December 9 for: Africa, Asia, Caribbean, Central and
South America, Far and Middle East
Thursday December 10 for Canada, Cyprus and Malta
Friday December 11 for: Greece, Eastern Europe (except Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia) and Turkey
Saturday December 12 for: Czech Republic, Finland,
Italy, Poland, Sweden, USA
Wednesday December 16: Austria, Denmark, Germany, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland
Friday December 18 for Belgium, France, Ireland, Luxembourg